by Tim Morris
Back in 2019 when winger Vincent Velocci joined the Ottawa Jr. Senators, the club was coming off back-to-back Bogart Cup and Fred Page Cup championship seasons. It was a learning experience for the young player.
“I looked up to the older guys, I watched them and learned,” said Velocci, a native of Toronto. “I’ve been on the team a couple of years now and as one of the older guys I try to be a leader and help the younger guys learn about what it takes to have a winning culture. I saw what it takes when I first joined the team and I try to do my part and pass on what I learned.”
Velocci is leading by example on the ice. The 5-10, 161-pound winger is proud of being a two-way player who does all the little things that make a difference in a game.
So far, his leadership has been working quite well. The Junior Senators are well on their way to finishing first in the Yzerman Division and securing home ice for the Bogart Cup playoffs.
“I take pride in being a 200-foot player who is effective in all three zones,” he pointed out. “I bring energy to the team when I’m on the ice, I’ll make the hard forecheck, backcheck or block a shot. I use my speed to do all the little things.”
In addition to his energy, Velocci has become more of a scoring threat in 2021-22.
“I’ve always been pass-first,” he noted.
That changed this year as his scoring is more balanced between goals and assists. Velocci, who shoots left-handed, has tallied 14 goals to go with 15 assists for 29 points. He’s realized that it helps the club if be becomes another player that the defense has to be concerned about scoring. Now he’s looking to score when the opportunity is there rather than forcing a pass.
“You can look too hard for perfect pass,” he explained. “When the shot is there I’m not going to pass on it.”
OJS coach Kyle Makaric is very pleased with Velocci’s play.
“Vinny is a player who doesn’t ever cheat on effort which makes him very consistent in games and practices,” the Junior Senators mentor said. “He skates very well and shoots the puck with precision making him a threat when he gets to scoring areas. He also pushes himself and others to get better and is a valuable member on and off the ice.”
Velocci’s increased productivity is an example of his striving to constantly improving his game.
“I want to keep on improving my game by focusing on my strengths and weaknesses to become a more complete player,” he said.
Because of the pandemic, Velocci and the Junior Senators were deprived of the opportunity to defend their Bogart and Page Cup titles. From his experience of being with a championship team in 2019, which was is last in minor hockey, Velocci believes this year’s team has what it takes to be Cup champions.
“It’s great to be playing with such a good group of guys,” he said. “Because of COVID restrictions last year we only knew the hockey side of each other. This year, we can go out more as a team and learn about each other off the ice. That has helped us gain more of a sense of camaraderie and team chemistry.”
With the playoffs rapidly approaching Makaric is counting on Velocci.
“I’ve been impressed with his attitude and demeanour at many points in the season and he will be a leader we count on during the playoff run,” the coach said.
